You hear it before you even see it. A honk of horn, laughter escaping, ukulele chords announcing the party… and then, it arrives, colorful, hand-decorated, often with flowers and traditional motifs. The truck is much more than a simple means of transportation: it’s a rolling icon, a piece of history, a living postcard of our childhood memories…

For decades, it crisscrossed the roads of Tahiti and the islands, transporting schoolchildren, grandmothers to the market, and Sunday families. Before the massive arrival of modern buses and air-conditioned cars, the truck was king of the road. Open-sided, with its wooden benches, and its soundtrack that varied depending on the driver, it offered a unique atmosphere, somewhere between rolling carousing and everyday adventure.

And today, it lives on… but in its own way. It’s becoming rarer, more precious, but it hasn’t disappeared. It returns, proudly, during a unique event in Polynesia: the Tere Fa’a’ati.

Tere Fa’a’ati – Tour of the island, local fiesta version

Imagine a parade of elaborately decorated trucks winding along the coast, music blasting, flower leis hanging, ukuleles ready to rock, and smiles lighting up every turn. Tere Fa’a’ati, it’s thisa polynesian road-trip polynésien, a rolling carousel that crosses the districts of the main island, with gourmet stops, traditional entertainment and above all, a spirit of sharing.

“Tere” means “to turn, to go around.” And “Fa’a’ati” means “around the island.” That day, we boarded not to move, but to celebrate. It’s a time when generations come together, children dance on their grandparents’ knees, young people laugh in the back, and everyone sings, eats, dances, lives.

Each stop is a milestone: a local meal, a dance demonstration, a game, a competition… and the chance to discover cultural sites where local history and traditions come to life. The idea? To create connections, honor traditions, celebrate the Polynesian art of living in movement. It’s the nomadic version of Fenua, on wheels, with the atmosphere of a Sunday that lasts all day.

💛 A living heritage, between nostalgia and modernity

The truck and the Tere Fa’a’ati are a matter of memory and heart. They are suspended moments, where we take our time. Time to watch the landscapes pass by, to laugh with our neighbors, to remember that happiness is often simple: a good hot meal, a song we know by heart, the wind in our hair, and the sun caressing our faces.

So if you are passing through Tahiti, don’t miss the opportunity to ride a truck during Tere Fa’a’ati. It is perhaps one of the most authentic ways to discover the island: to the rhythm of local songs, along the bends, with an open heart and taste buds in celebration.

📆 The event takes place every year, usually at the beginning of the year Subscribe to the Tahiti Tourisme Facebook page to find out the next dates for 2026 https://www.facebook.com/MyTahiti

The truck is the road we share, the party we carry, the memory that rolls.
It’s up to you to get in and let yourself be carried.